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Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. United States Department of Agriculture ANRCSII- Plant Guide PRAIRIE Stetes Please consult the PLANTS web site and your State Reserve CORDGRASS Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current aQK495 status (e.g., threatened or endangered species. State .G74J46 Spartina pectinata Link noxious status, and wetland indicator values). 2003 Plant symbol = SPPE Description Contributed by: USDA, NRCS Bismarck, General: Prairie cordgrass is a wann-season perennial North Dakota Plant Materials Center grass. It is native to the tall grass prairies of most of the United States and Canada. It has an average height of 3 to 8 feet (Johnson and Larson). The leaf blades, 3 to 13 mm wide and up to 30 inches long, are coarse, very tough, and thick. The margins of the leaf are serrated and sharp. Stems are stiff. It is strongly onnA rhizbmatous with very tough, scaly rhizomes. Seedheads L are composed of 10 to 20 spikes attached to the main stem. Each spike has up to 40 spikelets, all growing in two rows on the side of the spike away from the stem. The seeds are flat, paper-like with barbed awns that attach firmly to fur or fabric. There are approximately 183,000 seeds per pound. Distribution: Lor current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center Bismarck, North Dakota web site. Alternate Habitat: Prairie cordgrass is found in wet meadows, Ripgut, cordgrass, marsh grass, slough grass, fresh sloughs, potholes, and drainage ways. It is associated water cordgrass. broadleaf with various species including sedges and rushes. K@y Web Sites Adaptation Extensive information about this species is linked to Prairie cordgrass has a broad climatic adaptation. It the PLANTS web site. To access this information, go will grow on seasonally dry sites, tolerates alkaline to the PLANTS web site, select this plant, and utilize condition and high water tables but is intolerant of the links at the bottom of the Plants Profile. prolonged flooding. It will grow on a wide array of soil types, but prefers a soil other than sand. Uses The stiff stems, vigorous rhizomes and robust size of this species are useful in stabilizing soil, dissipating wave energy and providing cover. • wetland restoration and enhancement • streambank stabilization • windstrip barrier • filterstrip • riparian buffer • prairie landscaping • wildlife habitat - nesting and cover • forage - very early season only • spillway and dam cover USDA - NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Establishment Prairie cordgrass can be established from seed or vegetative material. Following are guidelines for each of these propagation methods. Seed Propagation Seeding Method: • drill • broadcast Seeding Rate: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Based on 183,000 seeds/lb, following are general seeding rates. Actual rates may vary depending on site locations and purpose of planting. These recommendations are guidelines for establishment in the Northern Great Plains. • 30 seeds/ft2 (7 lbs PLS/acre) • 1/4 to 1 pound PLS/acre in wet meadow mixes Seeding Depth: 1/2 to 3/4 inches Seed Quality: Viability: Viability of seed decreases when stored under high temperatures and humidity. In controlled storage, germination remains good for about 3 IJSDA NRCS Plant Materials Center. Bismarck, North Dakota years. Current purity and germination tests (9 months or less) are needed for accurate seeding rates. Germination tests may be difficult to interpret, however, as there are no standardized testing procedures. You may want a second opinion for newer lots with low germinations. Dormancy reported on seed tests should be considered in seed viability. Flowability: Debearded or deawned seed is more flowable, and seeding rate and placement is more accurate and consistent than for non-debearded (awned) seed. Seed Source: Most seed of prairie cordgrass is produced in the northern regions of North America. Insect predation inhibits seed production in more southern climates. Adapted Release or Selection: Red River Germplasm is the only known release with seed commercially available. Performance consistency in released material is greater than for local ecotypes. USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Adapted local ecotype: Seed can be purchased from native plant nurseries and commercial seed growers or can be harvested from local populations. Seed can be hand stripped or combined in late fall. Seed fill is often poor in native harvests. Filled seeds have a kernel or embryo. Cut seeds crosswise to determine fill. Streambank before prairie cordgrass planting USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center. Bismarck, North Dakota USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Vegetative Material Quality: The strong rhizomes can be used for propagation. The ideal piece of vegetative material is a "J" hook piece of rhizome with buds and 4 to 12 inches of dry stem. Other rhizome pieces can be used if there are roots and at least one bud. The stem length is not critical for growth, but, if attached, makes planting and handling easier. Vegetative Source: • Local sites such as a ditch or wet meadow • Nursery propagation bed - Material is usually more uniform and plants tend to be larger and stronger making them easier to handle and improving survival. USDA - NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Harvest Date: • Spring (early April-June) • Fall (dormant-October/November)-Rhizomes dug in the fall should be stored in controlled conditions of temperatures near freezing. Do not allow pieces to become too warm or dry. Harvest Method: Vegetative material can be dug by hand or with an undercutter, disk or plow. Depth of digging will vary depending on site conditions. In older stands, the intertwined rhizomes are course, stiff, and have sharp buds. Material most easily processed is from younger USDA - NRCS Plant Materials Center, growth found on the outside edge of an old stand or from newer plantings. Bismarck, North Dakota Plants 2 to 3 years old would be the easiest material to handle and process. Once rhizomes are dug, pieces should be cut as described above. It is Wide row spacing important to keep processed rhizomes cool and moist until planting. Another method of establishment would be to scatter the rhizomes, cover, and firm the planting bed. Planting Method: Rhizomes should be planted with the shoot upright. Roots and at least part of the shoot should be buried. The average planting depth should be 3 to 6 inches. Rhizomes have been successfully planted using a tree planter and by hand planting. Air space around the planted USDA - NRCS Plant Materials Center, rhizome should be removed by packing. Bismarck, North Dakota Spacing: This will vary depending on the purpose of the planting and site conditions. Seed increase fields and nursery beds: Recommended spacing between rows is 6 to 15 feet. Suggested spacing within row is 3 to 6 feet. Streambanks, riparian areas, other erosion control sites: Spacing can vary, depending on slope, stabilization required, mulch, and available plants and resources. Generally, plants are spaced 2 to 10 feet apart and planted in off-set rows. Rhizomes planted along streambanks should be planted several feet beyond the water line. Cordgrass is intolerant of frequent flooding. Ice jams and fluctuating water can wash out plants closer to the water line. Rhizomes planted higher up the slope will readily send shoots down the slope toward the water line. USDA - NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Management material is available in the commercial market of this Seedling vigor is only moderate, and seed often selection. o germinates throughout the course of the summer. rv) 1X3 Seedlings develop slowly. Stands are established more Atkins Germplasm prairie cordgrass is a selection g quickly by planting vegetative material compared to named and released by the Manhattan, Kansas Plant ~± seeding. Adequate water at planting time is critical for Materials Center. Material for this release originated cd establishment of seed and vegetative material. Once from Washington County, Nebraska. This is a Select the stand is established, watering is less critical. Due Class vegetative release. There is no seed produced or to the rhizomatous growth and size of the plants, weed available. Vegetative material is available for increase. competition is not usually a problem in established stands. The first few years of establishment by seed Weed Control may require weed control if heavily infested. Prairie Contact your local agricultural extension specialist or cordgrass has few management needs. Mowing of county weed specialist to learn what works best in prairie cordgrass more than once per season can reduce your area and how to use it safely. Always read label vigor. and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document Seed production fields: Seed fields established from only to provide specific information. USDA, NRCS rhizomes will produce some seed the first year. Seed does not guarantee or warranty the products and control fields established from seed usually takes 2 to 3 years methods named, and other products may be equally before producing a seed crop. Seed can be combined effective. after the first frost in northern regions and shattering is generally not a problem. Seed yields at the Bismarck, [References North Dakota Plant Materials Center have varied from Johnson, James R. and Gary E. Larson. 1999. Grassland 30 to 75 PLS Ibs/acre with wide row spacing. Plantings Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains. used for seed production can become quite sodbound South Dakota State University College of Agriculture after 5 years and seed production inhibited. Rhizomes and Biological Sciences B566 (rev.) Brookings, SD. will need to be separated by some means, or a new field established. Wynia, Richard. 2003. [personal communication!. USDA, NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Manhattan, Pests and Potential IProblems Kansas. Pests do not appear to be a problem for vegetative material. Seed predation by insects is a problem in Prepared By: most areas except the extreme northern climates of the Nancy K. Jensen, Agronomist, USDA NRCS Plant United States. Materials Center, Bismarck, North Dakota Environmental Concerns This plant may become weedy or invasive in some For more information about this and other plants, please contact regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation your local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS web site<http://plants.usda.gov> or the Plant Materials if not properly managed. Please consult with your local Program web site <http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov> NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or State natural resource or agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination department regarding its status and use. Weed in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national information is also available from the PLANTS web origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases site at plants.usda.gov. apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information Cultivars, Improved, and! Selected Materials (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's land area of originl TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). Red River Germplasm prairie cordgrass is a selection named and released by the Bismarck, North Dakota To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W. Whitten Building, 14th and Plant Materials Center. It is a composite of plant Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call materials from Grant County, Minnesota; Cass and (202 ) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity Grand Forks Counties in North Dakota; and Day County provider and employer. in South Dakota. Select Class seed and vegetative